Oh well, after having bit the bullet and gone for the proper tickets it looks like I'm gonna have two adult and one child KSC launch causeway tickets for sale then, The launch is on the day of our flight home !

Adam :-(

Ben

Adam I know people who are desperate to get tickets, I'd like to have first dibs :-)

Sure Ben, they haven't arrived here yet, but first dibs are yours. We arrive in FLA on the 7th so I'm sure something can be arranged.

Adam

capejeffs

( Adam, I have the feeling you could make a little bit of a profit on those front row tickets to Discovery's launch. But I know you wouldn't do that to Ben, now, would you! )

The post time -- for this launch announcemnt post. Did anyone notice that? Beating most of the media? That's HOT.

I wonder what happened to the news conference, maybe that was a bad tip. I wonder if shuttle mgr, Mr Parsons, just did a brief announcement. A news station here by the cape at around a quarter to said nasa was in a teleconference discussing when to set the date for Discovery.

Robert Pearlman

There was never a press conference scheduled; just a telecon for the press. The call included brief statements by Bill Parsons and Wayne Hale followed by questions by 20 or so members of the media. I posted the above while still on the call...

capejeffs

Now I heard something about 3 areas of the ET. Anyway, thanks Robert, that's loyalty! :-)

november25

Hi Bill and Ben-Well- I never, looks like the window is moving again.YIP-E---guys-my dream may come true? 2 days before my family and me land-what next.Any news on a meeting- of collectSPACE members? Or contact on the day of the launch? I thinking of buying the MAXI- Access option at KSC- nearer the date. want to Dine with an Astro- plus see the imax.things are looking up- see you all sonn.best wishes,kindregards,from Brenda and my gang.this was posted by november25

John K. Rochester

Anyone who is going to meet up with Brenda in Florida, please let me know so I can send you something for her..

AscentFive

Hey, all systems go, Brenda!

You sure you didn't call Griffin? And tell him, to delay the launch of Discovery a little bit till you get here?

[This message has been edited by AscentFive (edited April 21, 2005).]

capejeffs

We're wondering this morning about what we're hearing in local news on the space coast, regarding 3 areas on the ET where there are possible questions of ice. Maybe that's related to the ice question they had near the top of the ET.

And also if there were any questions of note in the teleconference.

DavidH

So will the landing also be delayed by a week, or could this change the mission length?

RE: ice - Wayne Hale said during yesterday's telecon that there were three areas of concern on the ET where ice could form, and that part of the time this delay to May 22 allows, is for the debris vertification review to be completed. The areas of concern are near where the bolts hold the LOX feedline fixed to the tank and the feedline bellows. If ice does form, the question is whether it would shake loose early in the launch, so vibration tests are planned. Hale said that if ice did appear in those areas on launch day, they would delay, as the situation would change with the weather (the more humid it is during countdown, the more chance of ice).

Robert Pearlman

Assuming a launch on May 22, landing would be on June 3.

michaelSN99

Robert ,

do u also know how the vibration tests will occure ?

are they doing it at the configuration wich is now seeting at the pad or will it take place with a mockup on an testbed or so ??

I don't have a source to cite, but I have to assume the testing is done on engineering models and mock-ups, not the stack on the pad.

capejeffs

Fascinating, thanks for info Robert. Another thing now, on a morning newscast here on the space coast. Was mentioned that there were even still some "maybe's" about the new tile inspection boom for discovery, its securement on the orbiter, and some of the physics of it's weight were being double checked. SHUTTLE TEAM, we're hoping-praying for you, in sealing up all the details! Go Discovery.

Mike Isbell

As it looks like there will probably be a delay until July 12 for the STS-114 launch, wiyh a rollback to the VAB, I am wondering which of the events since the rollout will have to be repeated, and which do not need to be performed again ? While I would now have to assume that STS-121 cannot launch before Sept. 9 now, does the expected delay also push back STS-115 and STS-116 form their tentetive launch dates in December and February 2006 ?

[This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited April 29, 2005).]

MrSpace86

I don't get it. Are all shuttle launches going to be this cautious? Come on, we're going into space, an environment not favorable to humans!! There will always be huge risks. I just don't see the shuttle launching anytime this year... -Rodrigo

Mike Isbell

The Discovery's rollout to the launhpad was done his morning. Let's keep our fingers crossed that nothing else unexpected turns up at that the liftoff of STS-114 can take place on or about July 13.